Italy has sought the European Union’s (EU) help to find a solution for the maritime rescue of migrants and refugees and their redistribution to other European nations.
On Wednesday, Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese demanded an EU meeting to discuss the issue. Speaking with the EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, the Italian Minister said, “The issue cannot be addressed solely by Italy and other countries whose borders coincide with the external borders of the EU.” She also called for an urgent review of the common migration policy.
In addition, Lamorgese suggested negotiations for a new immigration policy that mandates the redistribution of the immigrants saved at sea to other European nations. She said, “The immediate activation, even temporary, of a mechanism involving the Member States to allow a safe landing, compatible with the anti-Covid 19 measures, to the ships of the NGOs flying European flags currently engaged in SAR operations in international waters is requested.” However, this request is unlikely to be fulfilled due to political divisions between members.
Meanwhile, Italy’s right-wing League party leader, Matteo Salvini, urged Lamorgese to stop landings on Italian shores. He said, “The Prime Minister [Mario Draghi] is aware that this rate of landings cannot be maintained.” Likewise, Nicola Molteni, Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry, said, “Europe is worried about the entry of migrants between Lithuania and Belarus and does not see what happens in the South in the Mediterranean, which is the main entry route into Europe and therefore into Italy.”
More than 30,000 migrants landed on Italian shores this year, and rescue ships from NGOs Ocean Viking and SeaWatch 3 are left at sea with no instructions, waiting to receive around 800 people, including women and children.
In a tweet, SOS Méditerranée, a European organisation responsible for rescuing lives at sea, said, “The disembarkation of the remaining 550 survivors in a place of safety is urgent. The situation on deck keeps worsening. With a deteriorated sea state, we fear for the health of the people we rescued up to five days ago. OceanViking and SeaWatch3 need a place of safety now.” Similarly, Sea-Watch International, an NGO, tweeted, “The medical situation for the 257 rescued on board the SeaWatch3 is critical. Many show symptoms of dehydration and essential medications are missing. Some people have been at sea for a week now. They urgently need a safe port, and they need medical care.”
EU heads of state and government discussed migration issues during a summit in Brussels in June. However, the leaders focused on preventing departures by putting pressure on countries of origin and transit.
Lamorgese also held talks with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah in Tripoli on Wednesday to discuss illegal migration. The Libyan government stated that Lamorgese stressed the need for “continuous communication with the Libyan Ministry of Interior to coordinate several critical common issues, the most important of which is illegal migration.” The duo also discussed the current situation in Tunisia and its impact on illegal migration.